Mushoku Impact

Anticipating her arrival, Paul, Zhongli, and Xiangling were prepared to set out the moment Erinellis arrived the following day.&nbsp;
With the tall and slender Elf leading the way, it wasn't long before the trio found themselves at the entrance of a three-storey building that was, at least to Paul, reminiscent of classical, Victorian Era architecture. The walls were modeled from a combination of stained wood and anti-magic bricks, while the entire structure was reinforced with metal trimmings, almost like a gingerbread house. As for the color, much of the building was painted a creamy beige, while the trimming and sloping roof tiles were all dark blue.
Waiting at the entrance to the stylish and heavily reinforced building was a bespectacled woman wearing the ornate robes typically associated with a Magician. She had honey-blonde hair fashioned into a neat bun, peculiar pink eyes, and, despite being in her late forties, a remarkably mature body that managed to show through her thick purple and gold-trimmed robes.
Placing her hand on her heart and, more noticeably, her G-Cup breasts, the woman offered a polite bow as she said, "Master Paul, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. My name is Rumina Viktor Greenbull, Water Saint-Ranked Magician and Headmistress of Milbots Academy of Nobles. Please, feel free to address me as Headmistress or Ms. Greenbull."
Offering a similar yet marginally less courteous bow, Paul returned, "The pleasure is mine, Ms. Greenbull." before raising his head, gesturing to the two girls behind him, and adding, "These are my companions, Zhongli and Xiangling. If possible, I would have them attend classes alongside me."
Scanning the rather exotic-looking children standing silently behind Paul, Rumina didn't hesitate to answer, "That shouldn't be a problem. Though the Academy usually prohibits bodyguards and servants from attending class alongside their Masters, these girls appear to be around the same age as you and your classmates. So long as House Notos is willing to act as their Patron, I see no reason to refuse their admittance."
Reaching into his breast pocket, Paul pulled out twenty Asura Gold Coins, more than half his current savings, declaring, "My Father permitted me a bit of discretion to act in instances such as this. These funds should more than cover this year's tuition and supplies."
Accepting the pouch with a smile, Rumina didn't even bother to check its contents. Even if Paul hadn't proferred forth any funding, she would have merely sent an invoice to his father.
"They will need to have their measurements taken and feet sized for their uniforms. While their current garments appear to be of exceptional quality, all students must follow the Academy's rules and dress code. If it pleases the Young Master, we can stop at a tailor during our tour."
Nodding his head, Paul replied, "That is acceptable." before supplanting, "If possible, I would also like to visit the Auction House, the Slave Market, and an able Goldsmith. I will have need of their services during my stay at the Academy."
Returning a smile, Rumina dutifully explained, "I am more than happy to show the way, but all above-board commercial, industrial, and processing facilities can be found near the town square. For...additional services, the Academy expects new students to gather information by interacting with older, more experienced students. Your esteemed father has written me a letter telling me not to afford you too many privileges, so I'm afraid you'll have to look into such matters on your own."
Understanding what Rumina was referring to when she said 'additional services', Paul's smile became visibly wry before he promptly fixed his expression and said, "I'll keep that in mind. Now, shall we depart, or is there a matter requiring my attention in the Administrative Office?"
Shifting her gaze to Zhongli and Xiangling, Rumina answered, "We will need to fill out some paperwork for your two...companions. However, it will take some time to prepare everything. If it's not an inconvenience, I will have Erinellis bring it by your residence tomorrow afternoon. At that point, you need only certify the documents with your seal, and both girls will be enrolled."
Nodding his head in affirmation and approval, a relieved smile developed across Paul's face as he chimed, "Excellent. Then I will entrust the matter to Ms. Greenbull and her capable staff."
Bowing her head in acknowledgment of Paul's praise, Rumina's smile became marginally more sincere. She had heard the rumors, but he was even more mature and polite than expected. This was exceptionally rare among members of the Nobility, so she couldn't help looking forward to his progress. If he proved as capable as he was composed, the Milbots Region would be in good hands once he acceded the Lordship from his father...
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Established shortly after the Laplace War, a cataclysmic event that nearly destroyed the world 400 years prior, the Milbots Academy was one of the most prominent educational facilities in the world. Its student population generally hovered around 150-200, but there were more than 6,000 staff and civilian personnel supporting them. This included a number of skilled artisans, merchants, and even a few payrolled criminals to give students a sense of dealing with 'disreputables' in the shadows.
After getting the girls fitted for their uniforms, Paul was given a tour of the Academy's essential facilities. This included a large field that resembled a staging area for knights, a large barracks, a stable filled with more than a hundred horses, materials to construct barricades, target dummies, and a large armory filled with swords, spears, bows, and other weapons.
Since the Academy operated year-round, a total of thirty-three children, aged between 5-10, could be seen practicing in the field under the close supervision of a young woman with features remarkably similar to the Academy's Headmistress.
Unsurprisingly, Rumina revealed, "That's my youngest daughter, Reva Greenbull. She suffered an injury to her left knee a few years ago, but her skill in the Water God Style rivals that of a Saint. When you are deciding your electives, I suggest giving her lessons a try."
Noticing her mother's presence, Reva left the students in the care of her assistants before making her way over with a faint but noticeable limp.
"Headmistress, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Casting her gaze to Paul, Zhongli, and Xiangling, Reva's hazel-brown eyes practically lit up. Practitioners of the Water God Style had incredibly sharp intuition. Reva didn't sense much from Paul and Xiangling, but Zhongli was like a massive, unpolished gem. The young girl's balance was perfect, and her eyes, while strange, were as calm and serene as an underground lake. They were the kind of eyes only Kings and higher-ranking members of the Water God Style were capable of exhibiting.
Noticing Reva's fiery gaze, Zhongli adopted a faint smile before promptly closing her eyes. This left Reva feeling at a loss for words until her mother revealed, "This young gentleman is Paul Notos Greyrat, First Son and Heir Apparent of House Notos. I imagine he and his attendants will be joining your class in the near future."
Upon hearing Paul's identity, Reva immediately bowed in a respectful manner, stating, "My apologies, Master Paul. I was unaware of your status as the First Son of House Notos. While that may not be a proper excuse, I pray you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
Raising his left hand in a ceasing gesture, Paul replied, "Though you have done nothing warranting an apology, I accept it nonetheless. Please, raise your head."
Though she had also heard the rumors of Paul's maturity, Reva was more than a little surprised by his eloquence. He spoke like the heavily tutored members of the Royal Family. It was a little creepy, but it also attested to the fact that Paul was more than just a handsome yet unassuming boy. He might be lacking in sword talent, but he was exceptional in other ways.
Raising her head, Reva adopted a natural smile as she said, "Master Paul's compassion is greatly appreciated. If there is ever anything that concerns you regarding the Water God Style, do not hesitate to ask. I'm far from the most skilled practitioner, but I'm proficient in the techniques of Flow, Flow Reversal, and Battle Aura."
Though he was tempted to ask about Touki immediately, Paul decided to wait until he had started class and familiarized himself with the basics of swordsmanship. Touki, commonly known as Battle Aura, wasn't something that could be used just because you knew about its existence. It was an ability people gained access to after achieving a particular state of mind or pushing their body far beyond its limits. If it simply required hard work and continuous swinging of a blade, even bandits and butchers would be proficient in its use.
Returning a smile, Paul said, "I'm looking forward to it." in a sincere tone. He was far more interested in the Sword God Style, but as that ultimately involved swinging a sword as fast as possible, he didn't mind starting with the Water God Style. If he could learn Flow Reversal, he could send most magic spells back at their caster. At higher levels, he would even be able to redirect lightning from the sky toward his opponents.
Willfully ignoring the fact that it would take becoming an Emperor of the Water God Style to perform such feats, Paul bade farewell to Reva. They still had a lot of places to visit before the tour ended, first and foremost being the Magic Training Range located just a few hundred meters from the Sword Training Area.
Like most buildings catered to Magicians, the Magic Training Range was comprised entirely of Anti-Magic Bricks. Unless the caster was King Rank or higher, it was virtually impossible to leave so much as a scratch on the exceptionally expensive, pale grey material typically reserved for city and fortress walls.
Just as before, Rumina waited for the Chief Magic Instructor, a tall man with a slender frame, sharp features, and black hair, to come over before personally carrying out introductions.&nbsp;
When the Magic Instructor, an Advanced Earth and Wind Magician named William Fisk, learned of Paul's identity, he reacted in much the same way as Reva. He first apologized before informing Paul that he was more than happy to answer any of his questions. This was entirely intentional, as, for reasons Paul would never truly understand, it was 'customary' for Greater Nobles to allow people to embarrass or shame themselves so they could exhibit their magnanimity.&nbsp;
Though Paul felt such contrivances were completely pointless, he also understood there wasn't much he could do to change the way things were. If he permitted people to behave informally around him, they would view him as an easy mark.&nbsp;
Aristocratic society was extremely cutthroat, so much so that factions could form over something as absurd as an Heir apologizing to someone. The Asura Kingdom, in particular, was a place that revered the strong and politically inclined. Anyone that wasn't willing to play their part, be they a Lord's son or a Slave, would be unceremoniously cut down. Thus, at least for the time being, Paul had little choice but to play along as Rumina went through the process of retroactively introducing him to every significant Head of Staff in the Academy...
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After what felt like three entire days packed into a single morning and afternoon, Paul, Xiangling, and Zhongli returned to their abode. The first two immediately collapsed face-first on two of the three sofas circling the presently extinguished hearth. Their minds may be older, but they had the strength, stamina, and physiques of five-year-olds. Walking around for the better part of seven-and-a-half hours left them thoroughly tuckered out.
Leaving the two to their lamentations, Zhongli, showing no discernible signs of fatigue, made her way to the kitchen to prepare tea and snacks. She may have had the appearance of a five-year-old, but she was still an Archon. She didn't need to eat, sleep, or even consume water unless she wanted to. So long as she didn't sustain any grave injuries, she could go without rest for literal centuries. Thus, after setting out tea and snacks, she confirmed that Paul and Xiangling were sleeping before proceeding to clean the penthouse with a faint smile adorning her face...

With the girls' uniforms expected to take a few days to prepare, Paul decided to start attending classes the following week. This gave him four days of additional preparation, time he filled reading up on the very basic curriculum, exercising, and sparring with Xiangling.
Though her vision was currently inert, Xiangling had a little more than eight years of experience wielding a spear, hunting, and battling against the monsters of her world. She had to adapt to her limited strength and stamina, but she was still head and shoulders above Paul in terms of skill and experience.
Putting Paul at an even greater disadvantage, the range of spears made it exceptionally difficult to counteract them with a sword. Unless he rushed at her with the intent of slamming his shoulder into her body, Paul found it impossible to approach within three meters of Xiangling without suffering a counter.
"Damnit...!"
With Xiangling forcing him to drop his sword by slapping his wrist with the flat of her wooden spear, tears swelled in the corners of Paul's eyes as he cradled his hand against his chest.
Feeling apologetic, Xiangling was about to set aside her spear and lend a hand when Paul held up his own, uninjured hand and said, "Stop...I won't get anywhere receiving pity. Just give me a moment to collect myself, and we'll continue."
Though his body was covered in cuts, nicks, and bruises, Paul knew the only way to become truly powerful in the world of Mushoku Tensei was to push through things like pain and overcome his limits. One of the greatest boons of Touki was the regeneration it provided, so he didn't mind bearing a bit of pain if it would help stir the ambiguous energy he knew slumbered deep within his body.
Taking a deep breath, Paul picked up his sword with his left hand; its tip pointed towards Xiangling as he muttered, "I'm coming..."&nbsp;
Nodding her head, Xiangling stood with her body half-turned to Paul, her spear held behind her back at a 40-degree angle to the ground. Her form was similar to a spear version of the Water God Style. She could go on the offensive but preferred using counters and swift, piercing thrusts to break her opponent's stance and target their weak spots.
Bobbing up and down to try and hype himself up, Paul gritted his teeth and waited for Xiangling to blink before lunging towards her as fast as his feet could carry. With her spear positioned behind her body, he estimated there were only a few directions she could attack from. So long as he co-
Completely contradicting Paul's line of thinking, Xiangling stepped toward him instead of trying to create distance. Her footwork allowed her to slip past the point of Paul's blade, her left hand hooking behind his head and neck before she pivoted on her heel and sent him tumbling onto his side using his momentum against him.
"Oof..."
Landing heavily on his already injured arm, the only thing preventing Paul from crying out in pain or curling up into a ball was sheer obstinance. He might be five years old, but his mind was that of a 33-year-old American farmhand. No matter how much pain she caused him, Paul wasn't going to give up so long as he could keep moving.
Fortunately, the spar was brought to an abrupt end when Zhongli stated, "That's enough." in a tone that didn't leave room for argument. Paul and Xiangling had both asked her to help teach them, so she had the final say in matters regarding their training.
"Xiangling, go and prepare lunch. I'll see to our Master's injuries and the remainder of his training."
Though she had wanted to help Paul wrap his hand, Xiangling replied with a faint, "Okay..." before trotting over and returning her spear to the nearby weapons rack. Then, after casting a concerned and slightly pensive gaze at Paul, he scampered off to the kitchen, her soles creating a soft pitter-patter as they impacted against the wooden floor.
Much like Paul himself, Xiangling couldn't really understand why he had been designated as their Champion. In her eyes, his only remarkable trait was his looks. However, even those had effectively been given to him as a result of circumstance...
Waiting until Xiangling had disappeared into the kitchen, Zhongli shifted her amber eyes to Paul, her voice calm yet imposing as she said, "Stand up. It is when your body wants to give out on you that you 'must' get up. More often than not, the only thing that qualifies a person as a true hero is their ability to get up when others would have quit."
With a pained groan, Paul forced himself to his left hand and knees, beads of sweat trickling from his forehead as he took several steadying breaths. Then, in one final, pained exertion, he rose to his feet with what he hoped to be a determined look in his eyes.
Nodding her head in approval, Zhongli created a thin pillar of Geo Energy, propelling Paul's sword into her hand before she held it towards him and said, "One hundred strikes with your left and as many as you can manage with your right. You may stop, but no longer than three seconds at a time."
Suppressing the almost overwhelming urge to complain, Paul grabbed the hilt of the 3kg wooden sword and raised it high over his head. Then, in the motion his father had demonstrated when he was three, he began slicing downward in a slow yet deliberate manner, exhaling on the way down and inhaling on the way up.
While 3kgs might not sound like a lot, roughly 6.5lbs, Paul was just five years old. His natural affinity with Touki made things a little easier, but it was nearly impossible for him to swing a 3kg 100 times in a row without stopping. By the time he felt like his rotator cuff was tearing, he had only completed twenty-nine strikes.
Instead of chastising Paul for his poor performance, Zhongli nodded her head and said, "Switch arms. I never said you had to do all 100 strikes in a single setting. When one of your arms gets tired, switch to the other."
Clenching his teeth with enough force to taste blood, Paul switched to his right arm and began swinging. His injured wrist gave him the paradoxical desire to punch a wall, but he managed to get out five strikes before the pain forced him to switch hands.
Observing Paul with crossed arms and a neutral expression on her face, Zhongli had similar thoughts to Xiangling. However, as someone that had lived thousands of years, she had seen countless examples of seemingly normal humans breaking through their limits and becoming powerhouses that even she couldn't underestimate. So long as Paul never gave up, he, too, would join the legions of Heroes that had carved their name into the foundation of history.
Though he ultimately ended up violating Zhongli's three-second limitation on resting, Paul managed to complete all 100 strikes with his left hand. By then, the pain in his left shoulder had even exceeded the pain in his wrist. Despite this, Paul managed a pained chuckle as he dropped his sword on the ground and collapsed to his knees.
"Is this your limit...?"
Hearing Zhongli's perpetually calm tone, Paul opened his eyes to find her staring down at him with an impassive expression on her face. Though he immediately regretted it, an insuppressible rush of anger washed over him as he groaned, "Eat...a dick..." through labored breathing.
"Hmmm...it would appear you still have some vigor left within you. That's good. In the future, use that to push yourself even further. So long as you never lose control, emotions can be a powerful asset."
Punctuating her words, Zhongli hunched down, grabbing Paul's right arm, pulling him across her shoulders, and hooking her remaining hand around his leg in a manner identical to a fireman's carry. This made it difficult for Paul to breathe, but Zhongli largely ignored his groans as she lugged his limp body over to the sauna/washroom...
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After one of the most hellish weeks of his life, Paul found himself standing outside one of the main lecture halls, patiently awaiting the teacher to call him in.&nbsp;
Contrasting the two girls standing on either side of him, Paul was wearing a two-tone green tunic accented over a long-sleeved white blouse and a pair of dark brown trousers sewn with an intricate, gold pattern. The tunic was trimmed in gold and had four belt-like straps running across the front and an ornate leather belt adorning his waist. As for the rest of his outfit, his feet were garbed in dark leather boots suited for riding, while his collar bore the crest of House Notos in the form of ornate golden lapel pins.
Standing out despite their comparably poor quality clothes, Zhongli and Xiangling wore matching uniforms that consisted of a long-sleeved green blouse, a predominately beige corset, and a marginally darker dress that extended past their knees and covered a pair of white stockings. On their feet, they wore glossy, black, single-strap pumps that complimented the dark trim of their outfit and black ribbons adorning their necks.
Though it was generally frowned upon for a 'servant' to wear the symbol of a Noble House, Paul had commissioned the local goldsmith to prepare brooch pins that would clearly denote Zhongli's and Xiangling's affiliation with House Notos. He knew it was only a matter of time before someone tried to claim the two girls for themselves, so Paul wanted to make it clear that they were off-limits.&nbsp;
Interrupting Paul's thoughts, the teacher, a middle-aged man with a round belly, receding black hair, and a hook-shaped mustache, opened the door to the classroom, stating, "Master Paul, the class ready to receive you and your...companions."
Leaving no room for confusion, Paul squinted his eyes and stated, "While I do not expect you to bow your head, you will regard these girls in a similar light as me. Do I make myself clear?"
Though his brows briefly furrowed, the teacher didn't even think to argue with Paul. The latter's father had even greater authority within the school than the Headmaster. He wasn't going to risk making an enemy out of the Regional Lord just to put a pair of servants in their place.
Crossing his hand over his heart, the teacher, better known as Professor Gaast, offered an overly respectful bow as he replied, "I have cared your words upon my very heart. Henceforth, I will treat the Ladies Zhongli and Xiangling with the respect they so clearly deserve..."
Squinting his eyes, Paul was about to point out the man's rather blatant sarcasm but ultimately decided against it. He was already compromising his first impression by standing outside the class entrance and making a fuss. Thus, without gesturing for Professor Gaast to rise, he bypassed the balding man and made his way towards the front of the classroom with a calm and dignified expression on his face.
"I am Paul Notos Greyrat, First Son of Amarant Notos Greyrat and Heir Apparent of House Notos, Lords of the Milbots Region. I look forward to getting to know each and every one of you. However, there is one thing I want to make transparently clear. These two, and anyone else bearing the crest of House Notos, are not yours to heckle, mock, or harass. If you are sincere about establishing ties with House Notos, you will treat them with dignity and respect. Anyone who violates this simple condition had better prepare themselves for the consequences..."
Though there were those among the group of thirty or so students that frowned in response to Paul's words, they were predominately the young sons of various Noble Houses. Most of the girls had expressions like their idol had just surprised them with a school visit. Paul was inarguably the most handsome fellow in the entire class. With his status as the First Son of House Notos, it wouldn't even take a week before he had secured his position as the most sought-after male in the entire school, regardless of his views on the matter. As for Zhongli and Xiangling, they would become the objects of envy for countless young men and women, some coveting their beauty while others simply wanted to 'prove themselves' by taking something away from Paul...

Due to staying up much later than usual, it was nearly noon when Zhongli knocked on Paul's door, informing, "Master Paul, a messenger claiming to represent the Academy's Headmaster, has arrived. Shall I see them off, or would you prefer to speak with them?"
Rising to a seated position, Paul issued a long yawn before dropping his feet out of his bed and answering, "I'll be out in a moment. Allow them entry into the foyer, but do not serve them tea."
Playing her part perfectly, Zhongli offered a courteous bow, saying, "As you will, Master Paul." before departing to carry out his orders. Thousands of years of living had dulled her sensibilities quite a bit. While others were bound to feel discomfort being summoned as a female, Zhongli found it to be a rather novel experience.
Emerging from his room a few minutes later, Paul was surprised to find that the messenger was a young woman with dark blue hair and pointed ears. While the Asura Kingdom didn't outlaw them, it wasn't exactly the most hospitable country for non-human races. Unless they were a skilled Mage or Swordsmen, most non-humans within established human nations were slaves or former slaves.
Recognizing Paul from the description she had been given, the completely flat-chested woman offered a courteous bow, stating, "Greetings, Master Paul Notos Greyrat. My name is Erinellis of Fen. It is a privilege to behold your esteemed countenance."
Gesturing for Erinellis to raise her head, Paul inquired, "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Miss Erinellis?"
Since most young Nobles would ask about her ears or directly order her to strip down, Erinellis's impression of Paul immediately improved. There were few Noblemen and women his age who didn't let their curiosity and burgeoning perversion dictate their behavior in private.
"My Esteemed Master, the Water Saint Magician Rumina Viktor Greenbull, Headmaster of Milbots Academy of Nobles, wishes to meet you. Though your enrollment has already been completed, she would like to give you a tour of the grounds and explain our facilities."
"I see. Tell your Master I am a bit weary from my travels. If she has time, I would prefer to meet her tomorrow morning. If that proves inconvenient, I do not mind exploring on my own or being escorted by a lesser member of the staff."
While he was full of energy, Paul intended to spend the day unpacking his things. There was also the fact that his meeting with the Headmaster was initially scheduled to take place in two days. He assumed the Headmaster was simply adjusting her schedule to accommodate his early arrival.
"Very well, Master Paul. I will inform my Lady of your decision. Enjoy your rest."
Since her Master had told her not to insist if Paul rejected her invitation, Erinellis promptly excused herself. As for Paul, he habitually asked Zhongli to prepare tea, momentarily forgetting she was just 'pretending' to be his Maid as he started to sort through the veritable mountain of luggage and containers occupying the center of his living room.
When Paul was preparing to set out from home, the only things he packed were his wardrobe a few of his more important books. As the heir of the Regional Lord, he could basically purchase anything he wanted by simply writing an IOU or submitting his receipts to the Headmaster. House Notos was the financial backer of the Milbots Academy of Nobles, so Paul was, unsurprisingly, given special treatment.
Unfortunately, despite his protests, Paul's father had insisted he bring along two entire crates of fine wines and alcohol. Not for consumption, but as gifts to 'lesser' Nobles. Every student attending the Academy was either a vassal family or an ally of House Notos. Paul was expected to be something of a rallying point for the other students of the Academy, just as his father was the principal authority within the region.
Though he intended to do his best, Paul wasn't looking forward to being the center of attention for hundreds of young Noble sons and daughters. If it were up to him, he would simply sell the wine to accrue funds for his Gacha. Ten of the bottles his father had given were the most expensive vintage his family produced. A single bottle could sell for upwards of 100 Asura Gold Coins, so Paul was reluctant to give them away. If he didn't have the responsibility of maintaining his family's face, Paul would have sold the entire lot.
"Here you are, Master Paul."
Hearing Zhongli's words and seeing her carrying a tray of tea, Paul's thought processes briefly ground to a halt. The notion that he had just ordered a God to serve tea briefly crossed his mind, but before he could even think of apologizing, Zhongli placed down the tray, filled a cup, and presented it to Paul with a faint smile, saying, "I hope it suits your taste."
"Right..."
Accepting the cup with a befuddled expression on his face, Paul hesitated for a moment before sampling its murky brown contents. If he were being honest, it was some of the worst tea he had ever had. He was pretty sure Zhongli had simply soaked the tea leaves in boiled water without straining them. Despite this, Paul downed the entire cup before forcing a smile and saying, "It was delicious..."
Though she noticed the straining of Paul's face, Zhongli nodded her head in approval before pouring a cup for herself. From an etiquette standpoint, this was a major faux pas. Servants weren't allowed to drink or dine in the presence of their Lords or Masters. Had Tabitha been present, she would have smacked Zhongli with a horsewhip. As for Paul, he just ignored it and did his best to focus on packing. If anyone tried to give Zhongli, Xiangling, or any of his future allies troubles, he would simply use his position as the First Son of House Notos to crush them.
Paul's most significant concern regarding his future 'servants' were his father and members of the Royal Family. The 'characters' from Genshin Impact were attractive by pretty much any world's standards. In other words, it was only a matter of time before someone in a position greater than Paul's took an interest in them. Depending on how things played out, their only options would be to run away or fight.
"Mmm..."
Breaking Paul from his reverie, Zhongli's peculiar, diamond-shaped pupils expanded and contracted a few times as she stared at the contents of her cup and remarked, "This is terrible..."
Though he felt tense just having Zhongli around him, Paul managed a light chuckle in response to her disgusted expression. At the same time, he felt sincerely grateful that Xiangling, a Master Chef, was among the first allies he summoned. If he had somehow managed to pull Ei or her puppet form, the Raiden Shogun, he would probably succumb to food poisoning...
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Unaware of Paul's thoughts, Xiangling was sitting silently scribbling in her room with a listless expression on her face. She had done her best to put on a happy front during her initial encounter with Paul, but the notion that it would take decades before she even had the opportunity to return and save her world weighed heavily on her mind.
Though she hadn't been aware of the world's destruction in the moments leading up to it, the spectacle of a massive wave of black light sweeping across and destroying everything was burned into Xiangling's mind. If not for her Vision activating and teleporting her away at the very last moment, she would have been destroyed alongside her family, friends, and the only home she had ever known.
Having run out of parchment paper, Xiangling scratched an image of her best friend, Guoba, directly into the wooden surface of her desk. He had grown to a giant size in the closing moments of Liyue's destruction, a last and ultimately vain attempt to protect the city and its people before it was completely erased from the surface of their charred world.
"Guoba..."
Wiping away her tears with her forearm, Xiangling was about to start scribbling an image of her father when a soft rattling startled her out of her seat.
"D-Don't open the door! I...I'm not decent...!"
In an effort to substantiate her lie, Xiangling began pulling at the fabric of her clothes. Before she could so much as remove her apron, however, the deep yet feminine voice of Zhongli came through the door, declaring, "It's me."
Exhaling a sigh of relief, Xiangling took a moment to wipe away the tears and snot from her face before making her way over to the door and letting Zhongli enter. She had gotten to know all of her future companions during her stay in the Intersection of Fate. She had even voted for Zhongli when their group was deciding representatives, so Xiangling had a lot of trust in the former God of her city.
Seeing the slight bruising around Xiangling's eyes, Zhongli's expression softened as she asked, "Were you able to get any sleep at all?"
Shaking her head, Xiangling sniffled before sitting down on the edge of her bed and answering, "It just doesn't feel real. Though I knew what I was getting myself into when I signed the contract, the thought of not being able to see my family and friends for an entire lifetime makes me want to cry..."
Understanding the pain of loss better than most, Zhongli sat next to Xiangling, silence dominating the room for several seconds before she said, "Paul is far more considerate than I'm sure either of us anticipated. If things get particularly tough, you can always ask him to let you stay in the Intersection of Fate. That way, it will only be a short while before you are reunited with your family."
Wiping away a few newly formed tears, Xiangling adopted an aggrieved yet resolute expression as she said, "No. Even if my actions only speed things up by a few seconds, I am willing to do what I must to ensure the restoration and survival of our world. I won't just sit on the sidelines and watch others fight to protect the things precious to me."
Nodding her head in approval, Zhongli surprised Xiangling by pulling her into a hug and whispering, "Well said...it is that sort of conviction that will guarantee the success of our mission. Still, if things get tough, do not be afraid to shed tears. Hiding away and languishing in isolation only serves to nourish negative feelings. It's okay to grieve."
Feeling a fresh wave of tears building in her eyes, Xiangling threw herself into Zhongli and hugged her tight enough to elicit a soft grunt. Instead of letting go, however, she buried her face into the latter's nonexistent chest and proceeded to cry her heart out.
Ignoring her own discomfort, Zhongli held Xiangling in a firm yet gentle embrace, tenderly caressing the young girl's hair as she whispered, "It's going to be okay..." in a soothing tone...
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Emerging from his room shortly after 4 PM, Paul briefly paused to look around the living room before making his way to the kitchen. He could have called for Zhongli or Xiangling, but he didn't want to treat them as legitimate servants. It was one thing to play a part in public; Within the relative privacy of their shared home, he wanted them to regard each other as equals.
Fortunately, just as Paul was preparing to boil some dried meat to make soup stock, Zhongli and Xiangling immediately emerged from the same room. Paul didn't see this, but he could hear them approaching thanks to their hard-soled shoes and the wooden floor.
Exhibiting none of the vulnerability she had shown to Zhongli, Xiangling's face lit up when she saw Paul preparing ingredients, asking, "Do you know how to cook?" in an excited tone.
Nodding his head in affirmation, Paul explained, "My mother, back in my previous life, died when I was eight. I also lived alone for a few years, so I needed to learn how to cook for myself. I might not be a master chef, but I have a couple of dishes I can be proud of."
While listening to Paul's words, Xiangling made her way over to view his preparation first hand. He was lacking in dexterity, but it was clear he had the basics down. At the very least, he knew how to wash vegetables and avoid using the same utensils to process multiple ingredients.
Seeing a hint of potential in Paul's actions, Xiangling adopted a sincere smile as she asked, "Would you like me to teach you~?"
Since he would feel guilty if Xiangling was the only person preparing their meals, Paul returned a smile of his own as he replied, "It would be a great honor to learn from Liyue's greatest chef."
Adopting an even brighter smile, Xiangling pulled up a footstool to stand next to Paul before grabbing a knife and demonstrating the proper cutting technique. As for Zhongli, she just silently observed the two with a smile until Xiangling suddenly looked over and asked, "Aren't you going to join us?"
After a brief pause, the smile on Zhongli's face became marginally more prominent as she replied, "Of course. I simply didn't want to get in your way. If there's room, I would be more than happy to join."
On that note, Zhongli searched for a stool of her own before eventually settling on a platform made of Geo Energy. This caught Paul and Xiangling by surprise, but after the initial shock wore off, the three worked together to prepare a rather sumptuous dinner...

Chapter 9: MI09: Making the Rounds